When All-Star Kayla Thornton was lost to a right knee injury in mid-July, many wondered if the Golden State Valkyries would be able to continue on a postseason pace.

In stepped Veronica Burton, who lead the Valkyries in nearly every statistical category – points (11.9), assists (6.0), steals (1.1) and blocks (0.6) – and on Monday, Sept. 15, she was named the WNBA Most Improved Player. Burton’s game is well-rounded, demonstrated by the fact she’s one of five players to average at least 10 points, 5 assists and 1.5 made 3-pointers a game, joining Kelsey Plum, Caitlin Clark, Sabrina Ionescu and Skylar Diggins.

Burton is the only player on the Valkyries roster to start all 44 games. She played 29.2 minutes per game, compared to 12.7 with the Connecticut Sun last season. Burton’s points per game are nearly four times her previous career high of 3.1 in 2024.

Burton, who was drafted No. 7 overall by the Dallas Wings in 2022, is known as a defensive stalwart. She won Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year her freshman season at Northwestern. Valkyries coach Natalie Nakase wanted to see more offense after getting Burton is the expansion draft.

‘I challenged her. I challenged her to memorize sets, I challenged her to memorize possessions, and I’m challenging her now to recognize certain defenses,” Nakase told Yahoo Sports in early August. ‘And so with that type of openness with like, ‘whatever you need, coach,’ I mean, literally every game, I feel like she’s surprising (people with her improvement).’

In honor of being named the Kia WNBA Most Improved Player, Burton will receive $5,150 and a trophy.

Golden State, which was the first expansion team to make the playoffs in their inaugural season, is down 1-0 in the best-of-three opening series to the Minnesota Lynx. The Valkyries play host to the Lynx on Wednesday, Sept. 17 (10 p.m. ET, ESPN) at the SAP Center in San Jose, California.

The wild AFC West might be up for grabs in 2025, and on ‘Monday Night Football,’ another crucial divisional matchup takes center stage.

The Kansas City Chiefs have started the season 0-2 for the first time since 2014, maybe cracking the window of opportunity open for Monday night’s opponents, the Los Angeles Chargers and the Las Vegas Raiders.

While there’s plenty of football left in 2025, the 0-2 start for the Chiefs and the 1-0 starts for the Chargers and Raiders might offer a glimmer of hope for a non-Chiefs winner since 2015.

The Chargers may have laid a small bit of a blueprint of how to defeat Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs when they took them down in Brazil in Week 1. Behind a sharp Justin Herbert and a surprisingly pass-heavy offensive attack, Jim Harbaugh’s squad flew back stateside with a season-opening win.

It wasn’t as pretty for the Raiders in Week 1, but they came away with a win of their own vs. the New England Patriots to kick off the Pete Carroll era. Notably, first-round pick Ashton Jeanty didn’t burst on the scene as some expected; Jeanty finished his NFL debut with 19 carries for 38 yards.

His path doesn’t get much easier vs. the Harbaugh-coached defense on Monday night. But maybe Jeanty will give Carroll a birthday present by way of powering a Raiders win.

The Chargers and Raiders jockey for position in the division in an after-dark edition of ‘Monday Night Football.’ USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the matchup below.

What time does Raiders vs. Chargers start?  

• Date: Monday, Sept. 15
• Time: 10 p.m. ET (7 p.m. PT) 
• Where: Allegiant Stadium, Paradise, Nevada

What TV channel is Raiders vs. Chargers on today?  

• TV channel: ESPN
• Streaming: Fubo, ESPN+ 

ESPN will be the broadcast home of the Monday night clash between the Raiders and Chargers. Chris Fowler will be on the call handling play-by-play duties. He will be flanked by Dan Orlovsky and Louis Riddick.

Watch ‘Monday Night Football’ with Fubo (free trial)

Raiders vs. Chargers live betting odds, moneyline, over/under

Raiders vs. Chargers injury report

AI-assisted summary
• Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty was the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.
• Jeanty is being mentored by former running back Marshawn Lynch and is playing for Lynch’s former coach, Pete Carroll.
• The Raiders drafted Jeanty to improve a rushing attack that was the worst in the NFL last season.

HENDERSON, NV – The pregame meal is the same every gameday for Las Vegas rookie running back Ashton Jeanty.

Jeanty’s tradition is to eat egg whites with spinach and preferably watermelon and blackberries as fruit. If he’s feeling extra hungry, he’ll indulge in some French toast. When the Raiders have a primetime game like Week 2 against the Los Angeles Chargers, Jeanty will have some pasta for lunch.

Enough protein and carbs to take on the load of being the Raiders’ feature running back.

By the time Jeanty takes the field for pregame warmups, he’s ready to go and fired up.

Well, actually, the former and not the latter. Jeanty prefers to go into a game calm.

“I’m a gospel guy these days. It used to be rap,” Jeanty told USA TODAY Sports in an exclusive interview. “I like to just be kind of more calm. I feel like rap kind of gets me too over the top, ready to crash out. I just need to chill before the game.”

Jeanty’s pregame music choice is fitting because it’s almost like divine intervention that he landed with the Raiders at the No. 6 overall pick in the 2025 NFL draft.

Jeanty’s grew up watching running back Marshawn Lynch when he starred for the Seattle Seahawks for then head coach Pete Carroll. Fast forward to now, Carroll is head coach of the Raiders, Jeanty is his star in the backfield and Lynch is a mentor figure for the rookie.  

“Following the footsteps of lguys like Marshawn. He’s been around,” Jeanty said. “He’s been giving me advice.”

Furthermore, the Raiders selection of Jeanty was a full-circle moment for his agents Al Beglinger and Henry Organ of Disruptive Sports. Beglinger and Organ are Bay Area natives and lifelong Raiders fans.

“The first picture in my life as a baby was wrapped in a Raiders blanket,” Beglinger recalled to USA TODAY Sports.

To put the icing on the cake, Jeanty is the two agents’ first ever first-round pick.

“We had to keep our composure and keep our cool,” Organ said to USA TODAY Sports. “Like this is crazy. Our first first round draft pick is a Las Vegas Raider…We were like, ‘Wow, what are the odds to that.’”

Jeanty is fresh off a final collegiate season at Boise State in which he amassed 2,601 rushing yards, the second-highest single-season rushing total in FBS history. A rushing output that earned him the right to be a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Statistics and accolades that made him an ideal fit in Las Vegas.

Falcons’ Michael Penix Jr. and other left-handed quarterbacks in NFL history

The Raiders had a massive need at running back prior to the 2025 draft. Las Vegas had the worst rushing attack in the NFL last season. The franchise hasn’t had a running back eclipse 1,000 rushing yards since Josh Jacobs in 2022. Las Vegas paltry ground game is why many mock drafts predicted Jeanty would wind up in Silver and Black.

“The run game wasn’t very explosive last year or in the past few years, so I think that’s why they really made the commitment to get me. Get a guy who can make big plays and really get the run game rolling,” Jeanty said. “It’s a big deal, honestly, just that they have that belief in me. That gives me all the confidence in the world. Whether things are going good or bad, that you know this organization, everybody around has trust in me, and brought me here specifically for that reason.”

Jeanty already reached the end zone for the first time in his NFL career in a 20-13 Week 1 win against the New England Patriots.

“I’m so excited for him,” Raiders quarterback Geno Smith said. “Just as he grows throughout his career, throughout the season, all the experiences.”

Jeanty’s got bigger goals in mind, though. He hopes he can contribute to the Raiders achieving more team success. The Raiders have finished below .500 the past three seasons, and the franchise hasn’t earned a playoff berth since 2021.

If Jeanty helps the Raiders get to the postseason and he surpasses 1,000 yards rushing along the way, he might have some NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year hardware, too.

His pregame traditions are a sign he’s prepared for the challenge.

“It’s definitely possible,” a smiling Jeanty said. “It’s definitely something I want to win for sure.”

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.

Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels is dealing with a knee injury that is throwing his status for his team’s Week 3 game against the Las Vegas Raiders into question.

Daniels underwent an MRI after the Commanders’ 27-18 loss to the Green Bay Packers on ‘Thursday Night Football’ that revealed a knee sprain, per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. That is leaving Daniels’ status for Week 3 ‘in doubt’ as he deals with the injury.

Here’s more to know about Daniels’ injury and how it will impact the Commanders moving forward.

Jayden Daniels injury update

Dan Quinn was asked about Daniels’ injury at a news conference Monday. The Commanders coach said his second-year quarterback would be ‘day to day’ and that the team would know more about his status Wednesday.

‘I know lots of the questions will be about our QB, but I can say – here’s what I know,’ Quinn said. ‘He did have an MRI and he’s already begun his return to play process with us. He is truly day to day. What does that mean for Sunday? I can’t tell you that now. I’ll have more to share on that when we get to Wednesday at practice and what that would look like.’

Quinn did not add any specifics about the nature of Daniels’ injury.

Neither did Rapoport, who did not disclose the type of severity of Daniels’ knee sprain in his initial report. Rapoport simply said the malady is ‘not a long-term injury.’

It isn’t wasn’t completely clear when Daniels may have suffered the injury. He came up limping after being tackled by Kingsley Enagbare with about five minutes left in the fourth quarter.

Despite this, Daniels finished the game and did not miss a snap in Washington’s defeat.

Who is the Commanders backup QB?

If Daniels is unable to play in Week 3, the Commanders would turn to backup quarterback Marcus Mariota to lead the charge.

Mariota has a record of 34-40 in 74 career starts and played on occasion in relief of Daniels in 2024. The No. 2 overall pick from the 2015 NFL Draft completed 77.3% of his passes for 364 yards and four touchdowns in limited action.

Commanders QB depth chart

The Commanders currently have four quarterbacks in their organization. They are as follows:

1. Jayden Daniels
2. Marcus Mariota
3. Josh Johnson
4. Sam Hartman (practice squad)

(This story will be updated as more information becomes available.)

Week 2 of the 2025 NFL regular season has come and gone, leaving behind some names in the sport as we move forward. Turns out, Week 1 wasn’t so bad after all.

This slate of games, which isn’t even over yet, saw the likes of Joe Burrow, J.J. McCarthy, Austin Ekeler and Jayden Reed head for an extended stay on the sidelines. That doesn’t include players like Justin Fields or Aaron Jones, who are also in danger of missing some time.

Brock Purdy, George Kittle and others will now have some company in the NFL infirmary – which is starting to include more teams than the San Francisco 49ers.

There is no time to moan and groan, however. This is the hand we’re dealt and there is no choice but to keep playing. We understand it can be a double whammy after losing a player and the weekly matchup. Rather than add insult to that injury reality, we’ve compiled a handy list of the key fantasy football stars that are banged up heading into Week 3.

Here’s the latest on those players.

Fantasy football injury updates: Week 2

QB Joe Burrow, Cincinnati Bengals

Burrow suffered a turf toe injury in Week 2’s game against the Jaguars. According to reports, he will miss at least three months while recovering from the surgery he needed to repair the ligaments in his foot.

Jake Browning is Burrow’s backup in Cincinnati and will be expected to make the start against the Vikings in Week 3.

QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers

Purdy is also dealing with a turf toe injury that he sustained in Week 1 of the regular season. The ailment kept him out of the 49ers’ Week 2 win over the Saints.

Before the game, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that the 49ers were ‘not optimistic’ that Purdy would return in time for Week 3’s game against the Cardinals. However, ‘it’s not out of the question.’ The quarterback should still be considered week-to-week.

QB Jayden Daniels, Washington Commanders

Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said Monday that Daniels is considered day-to-day with a knee injury he suffered in Week 2’s ‘Thursday Night Football’ loss to the Packers. He already had an MRI come back clean and has started his return-to-play process, Quinn said.

Whether Daniels will be available for Sunday’s game against the Raiders will be a question answered later in the week, perhaps as soon as Wednesday.

Should Daniels be unavailable, Marcus Mariota would start for Washington.

QB Justin Fields, New York Jets

Fields is in the concussion protocol after sustaining a head injury in Week 2’s loss to the Bills.

Jets head coach Aaron Glenn said Monday that it’s hard to evaluate whether he will be available for Sunday’s game against the Buccaneers but that he’d be sharing more information later in the week.

WR Xavier Worthy, Kansas City Chiefs

Worthy fully tore his labrum in Week 1 after a collision with tight end Travis Kelce. He missed the Chiefs’ Week 2 game against the Eagles as a result.

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Sunday that Worthy is ‘looking good’ to return in Week 3 against the Giants. If he plays, it would be with a harness to provide additional protection for his shoulder.

RB Austin Ekeler, Washington Commanders

Rookie Jacory Croskey-Merritt is projected to take over as the Commanders’ starter in the backfield, with Jeremy McNichols and Chris Rodriguez backing him up.

RB Aaron Jones, Minnesota Vikings

Jones exited the Vikings’ Week 2 ‘Sunday Night Football’ game with a hamstring injury. Head coach Kevin O’Connell said the team is still evaluating the injury but that Jones is likely to be ruled out for Week 3 against the Bengals.

QB J.J. McCarthy, Minnesota Vikings

McCarthy will be out 2-4 weeks with a high ankle sprain, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter. O’Connell initially revealed the ankle injury in a Monday press conference.

WR Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers

NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport reported Thursday that ‘the hope is that it’s a 6-8 week injury’ for the Packers wideout.

ATLANTA ― Inconsistent officiating is something that’s plagued the WNBA all season long, and it reared its ugly head again when the Indiana Fever played the Atlanta Dream in their opening round matchup of the 2025 WNBA playoffs.

Less than two minutes into the game, the first of 43 personal fouls was tallied, an ominous foreboding of the day that lay ahead. Whistle after whistle peppered the atmosphere in Gateway Center Arena, quickly taking the air out of the building and stifling any momentum. Coaches and players from both teams stood in bewilderment as each call was logged, hands on top of their heads in shock and mouths gaping open.“It’s very frustrating, very frustrating,” Fever head coach Stephanie White said postgame, calling out the officiating after the Fever’s 80-68 loss. “Nobody likes to use their challenges in the first half, especially when they’re successful, you know? And look, it is what it is. This is not anything that’s new.’

However, on Sunday, it wasn’t just the sound of whistles cutting through the crowd noise and arena music. It was the apparent lack of calls, too, which were eerily deafening. The seemingly subpar officiating caused tensions to boil over. The groans from the crowd, a healthy mix of Dream and Fever fans, got louder and louder with each missed call. Eventually, emotions boiled over.

Fever center Aliyah Boston picked up two fouls within six seconds in the fourth quarter, and moments later, White lost her cool over what she felt was a foul that should have been called. She unleashed on the officiating crew, earning her a technical foul during a seconds-long tirade. White had to be held back and coaxed to the bench by a gaggle of Fever players, including guard Caitlin Clark.

Still, White wasn’t the only coach to ask for better officiating across the league.

‘I want a fair fight. I really do,’ Nakase said. ‘I want a clean fight, but I love the fact that both teams are playing their hearts out. They’re fighting. But I would like it to be fair. … And for me, that’s why I got a [technical foul] because at what point is it going to be fair?’

However, Nakase wasn’t done there. She maintained that her team did not get the whistle they deserved, insinuating instead that it was Minnesota who was getting the calls. The Lynx ended Sunday’s matchup with 24 free throw attempts against the Valkyries’ 27. Although those numbers are a departure from the regular-season averages for each team (16.1 and 18.4 attempts per game, respectively), the first-year head coach appeared to be flustered by Minnesota’s calls.

‘We’re playing the best team in the league,’ she said. ‘They don’t need no help. This team is great. They’re stacked. They play well. They play beautiful basketball. They’re coached well. They don’t need the help.’

When there’s a championship on the line, coaches want the calls to be even on both sides and perhaps more consistent. However, it’s hard to imagine a world where officiating won’t impact the playoffs moving forward considering it happened on the grandest stage last season: Game 5 of the 2024 WNBA Finals.

Officials missed a travel by the Liberty on the final possession of regulation, instead calling a foul on the Lynx. The call had a visible impact on the game, eventually sending the matchup into overtime. The lobbying for better officiating has only intensified since that moment and the WNBA is aware. In July, league commissioner Cathy Engelbert addressed officiating in a state-of-the-league news conference at All-Star weekend. ‘We hear the concerns, we take that input, and every play is reviewed,’ Engelbert said.

‘We spend hours and hours on hours. Obviously, we then use that to follow up with officials’ training. Obviously, consistency is important. … I realize consistency is the name of the game, so I think it’s something we definitely look at and evaluate.”

After the playoff’s opening day, it would seem improvement cannot come quickly enough.

Week 2 of the 2025 fantasy football season was as predictably unpredictable as Week 1.

With two Monday Night Football games pending, the top three quarterbacks are Jared Goff, Russell Wilson and Drake Maye. Four of the top eight wideouts are Rome Odunze, Wan’Dale Robinson, Hunter Renfrow and Troy Franklin. And the top finishers at tight end are Tucker Kraft, Zach Ertz and Juwan Johnson.

Week 3 is upon us now.

Here’s an early look at Week 3 fantasy football rankings. Toggle between standard, half PPR (point per reception) and full PPR to see where players rank in your league’s format.

Our team at USA TODAY Sports has you covered with plenty of content to help with your Week 3 waiver wire and roster decisions. Wondering who the best waiver-wire claims are? We have that covered, so you can make your pickups. Need to know what players you can drop? We have that as well. We also have a list of the nine best buy low/sell high candidates and our biggest winners and losers from Week 2. Finally, here’s our roundup of the most important fantasy football injury updates.

Please note: These rankings will change significantly as the week goes on. Check back on Sunday morning for final updates.

(The risers and sleepers sections will focus on players available in at least 40% of Yahoo leagues. All snap and target data from PFF.)

Week 3 fantasy football quarterback rankings: Risers and sleepers

• Daniel Jones, Indianapolis Colts (18%) – Entering Monday, only Lamar Jackson has scored more fantasy points at quarterback than Jones. The Titans project as a tough matchup, but then again, so did the Broncos. Jones did finish as the QB9 in 2022, so it’s certainly plausible that he remains a fantasy asset for the remainder of the season.
• Jake Browning, Cincinnati Bengals (1%) – With the news that Joe Burrow is expected to be out for at least three months, Browning enters the high-upside streamer conversation. After taking over for Burrow in Week 12 of the 2023 season, the 29-year-old ranked as the QB9 or better in five of his seven starts.
• Sam Darnold, Seattle Seahawks (11%) – Darnold dropped a dud in Week 1, but he rebounded in Week 2 with 295 yards and two tuddies. His schedule over the next four weeks makes him an optimal pickup, as he’ll be facing the Saints, Cardinals, Buccaneers and Jaguars over that stretch.

Week 3 fantasy football running back rankings: Risers and sleepers

• Cam Skattebo, New York Giants (59%) – It didn’t take long for the Giants backfield to undergo a seismic shift. Rookie Cam Skattebo led the way in snaps (35) and touches (14), while running just one fewer route than Tyrone Tracy Jr. If you’re in the 41% of leagues where he’s still available, make him your top priority.
• Bhayshul Tuten, Jacksonville Jaguars (55%) – While Travis Etienne looks like a top-tier running back again, Tuten has emerged as one of the better handcuffs in fantasy. The rookie played just 18 snaps in Week 2, and he certainly made the most of them, turning 10 touches into 80 yards and a score. He should be rostered in all leagues.
• Trey Benson, Arizona Cardinals (52%) – Week 2 saw Benson and James Conner in a near-even timeshare. While Conner led the way in snaps (30 to 25) and carries (11 to 3), Benson outpaced the veteran in routes (16 to 12) and targets (5 to 1). Conner has been one of the least efficient runners in all of football to start the season, and if that continues, look for Benson to keep eating away at that timeshare.
• Chris Rodriguez Jr., Washington Commanders (4%) – Prior to suffering a season-ending injury on TNF, Austin Ekeler was dominating the Washington backfield in snaps (36), routes (21) and touches (12). While Jacory Croskey-Merritt should be the primary beneficiary, it’s possible that Rodriguez will get enough touches to be a viable flex play in deeper leagues.
• Blake Corum, Los Angeles Rams (8%) – Speaking of inefficient backs, Kyren Williams hasn’t improved on his 2024 efficiency through two games. For just the second time in the last two seasons, Williams had a snap share below 75% in Week 2. Corum has his best game as a pro on just five carries, racking up 44 yards and a touchdown. The Michigan product remains one of the more valuable handcuffs in fantasy, and it’s possible that he carves out a standalone role as the season progresses.

Week 3 fantasy football wide receiver rankings: Risers and sleepers

• Troy Franklin, Denver Broncos (3%) – Against the Colts, Franklin led all Denver wideouts in snaps (49), routes (28) and targets (9). This came after finishing second in all those categories in Week 1. The 22-year-old has garnered a 23.4% target share to date, which puts him firmly on the fantasy map.
• Cedric Tillman, Cleveland Browns (39%) – Through two weeks, Tillman sits among the league leaders in snaps and routes, and his 15 targets are nothing to sneeze at. His fantasy day was saved by a touchdown that should have been intercepted, but the fact that he’s getting elite usage makes him a viable flex play every week.
• Elic Ayomanor, Tennessee Titans (8%) – Through two games, Ayomanor ranks second among Tennessee receivers in snap share (78%), route rate (75%) and target share (23.6%). In Week 2, he turned his six targets into 56 yards and a score. He should be rostered in far more than 8% of leagues.
• Darnell Mooney, Atlanta Falcons (51%) – After missing the opener, Mooney returned in Week 2 to lead the Falcons in snaps (57) and routes (24 – tied with Drake London). While he only generated four targets, that was likely due to a game script that allowed the Falcons to go run-heavy. Mooney is flex-worthy in plus matchups.
• Wan’Dale Robinson, New York Giants (22%) – Through two weeks, only 14 receivers have generated more targets than Robinson (18). The 24-year-old is currently tied for seventh among wideouts with 14 receptions, and he ranks sixth in receiving yards. Given that the Giants will likely be in a lot of negative game scripts, Robinson should maintain fantasy value as long as he remains healthy.
• Romeo Doubs, Green Bay Packers (16%) – While Doubs is unlikely to be a consistent option week-to-week, Jayden Reed’s injury makes him a viable flex play going forward in deeper leagues. The 25-year-old has played 21 more snaps than the next-closest Green Bay receiver.
• Hunter Renfrow, Carolina Panthers (1%) – Renfrow played just three fewer snaps than Tet McMillan in Week 2, and finished tied with the rookie in routes run (53) and targets (9). Carolina is unlikely to attempt 51 passes on a regular basis, but Renfrow is worthy of consideration in deeper PPR leagues due to his role.
• Dontayvion Wicks, Green Bay Packers (1%) – Through two weeks, Wicks (six targets in Week 2) is the only Green Bay wideout to have eclipsed five targets in a game. Despite Reed’s injury, Wicks remains a deep league-only add.

Week 3 fantasy football tight end rankings: Risers and sleepers

• Juwan Johnson, New Orleans Saints (44%) – Johnson leads all tight ends in targets through two weeks. I’m sure everyone saw that coming. He also happens to be the TE3 in half-PPR points. He’s easily in the top-10 conversation until Foster Moreau and Taysom Hill return from the PUP list.
• Zach Ertz, Washington Commanders (57%) – While Johnson ranks as the current TE3 heading into Monday Night Football, Ertz is a spot ahead at TE2. The veteran, who was the TE5 over the final eight weeks last season, needs to be rostered in all leagues until further notice.
• Harold Fannin Jr., Cleveland Browns (42%) – For the second consecutive week, rookie Harold Fannin played a large enough role to be fantasy-relevant. The 67th overall pick currently ranks fifth at the position in targets and yards, and is tied for third in receptions. With David Njoku a free agent after the 2025 season, Fannin’s role could very well grow as the season chugs along.
• Jake Tonges, San Francisco 49ers (3%) – In the first game with George Kittle on IR, Tonges led all 49ers tight ends in snaps (56), routes (31) and targets (5). He’s also one of just 14 tight ends with multiple red zone targets this season. Tonges will be on the Week 3 streaming radar against a Cardinals defense that has ceded the most receptions to the position.

Week 3 fantasy football rankings: PPR and non-PPR